There are 10 fake facts Hello and climb aboard for the history of the US Navy and marines let's see how keen you are on a topic that mostly only my friends and I enjoy in this grade. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the most intense battles of World War Two.
The US Reason to Invade: It was late in the war. The Japanese Air Force and Navy were all but destroyed. The US was conducting B-29 raids on Japan too. Iwo Jima was a strategic base for all arms of the Japanese Military, providing bases to intercept the B-29's and a naval nuisance for the Japanese. It could also be of value as a stepping stone to invade Japan. To eliminate these problems, and gain the stepping stone, the US sent in the Marines and Navy to deal with the Japanese on Iwo Jima. Japanese Preparations: The Japanese knew Iwo Jima was next on the American "invasion list" so they built up their defenses over time. Japanese Commanders Tadamichi Kuribayashi and Kenzo Ueno planned elaborate defenses. A huge network of tunnels was dug to move troops underground and to quickly reinforce positions. Numerous bunkers and pillboxes were built with sea camo. Tanks were covered with leaves for concealment to be mobile artillery. Since most of the defenses were away from the beach,Tokyo forced the commanders to build beach defenses since this broke Japanese Military code. Invasion: At 2:20 am local time, the US navy began shelling the island. Because most of the Japanese defenses were inland, the shelling had no effect. At 4:00 am the Carriers USS Serpent and Swift began launching air strikes.
The Naval Part: At about 8:00 am, Japanese cruisers were sent in a do-or die attack at the US carriers. The Carriers and their escorting destroyers lashed out against the enemy ships. The superior aircraft and speed of the carriers were to much for the Japanese. This "Other Battle of Iwo Jima" was a Japanese disaster.
The Battle: At 8:59 am the Marines from the 3rd, 4th, 5th and V corps hit the beach head. Not only enemy fire halted the marines, volcanic terrain was also unsuitable. To make matters worse, when the marines would "clear" a bunker, Japanese in the tunnels would reoccupy it. When tanks, more air strikes and shellings were conducted, the marines eventually were able to advance past the beaches. Shelling would be ineffective at this point, the marines had to charge their way through. The Japanese were restrained from banzai charges, so fighting was fierce. To counter these problems, plasma grenades were used to destroy bunkers and Scorpion tesla throwing tanks were able to help the marines because of their firepower and durability. Close air support by Escort Carriers were able to destroy some defenses and increase the advance.
File:Browning M1917 Marine Iwo Jima fixed.jpg
Mount Surabachi: Mount Surabachi was cut off, so the Marines were able to capture it easily despite it being apart of the tunnel works. Two four man patrols were sent up the mountain on reconnaissance, these men put the first flag of Iwo Jima on there. A few days later, a second, more famous flag was rose.
Concluding:
There was still some resistance in the northern end of the island, the marines used 4 tons of explosives to get rid of them.
Aftermath: USS Lunga Point sunk by a Kamikaze Flown by Kenzo Ueno 21,569 Marines (6,829 were deaths) 18,375 killed Japanese 600 captured Japanese
US Navy and Marines Battle of Iwo Jima
There are 10 fake facts
Hello and climb aboard for the history of the US Navy and marines let's see how keen you are on a topic that mostly only my friends and I enjoy in this grade.
The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the most intense battles of World War Two.
The US Reason to Invade:
It was late in the war. The Japanese Air Force and Navy were all but destroyed. The US was conducting B-29 raids on Japan too. Iwo Jima was a strategic base for all arms of the Japanese Military, providing bases to intercept the B-29's and a naval nuisance for the Japanese. It could also be of value as a stepping stone to invade Japan. To eliminate these problems, and gain the stepping stone, the US sent in the Marines and Navy to deal with the Japanese on Iwo Jima.
Japanese Preparations:
The Japanese knew Iwo Jima was next on the American "invasion list" so they built up their defenses over time. Japanese Commanders Tadamichi Kuribayashi and Kenzo Ueno planned elaborate defenses. A huge network of tunnels was dug to move troops underground and to quickly reinforce positions. Numerous bunkers and pillboxes were built with sea camo. Tanks were covered with leaves for concealment to be mobile artillery. Since most of the defenses were away from the beach,Tokyo forced the commanders to build beach defenses since this broke Japanese Military code.
Invasion:
At 2:20 am local time, the US navy began shelling the island. Because most of the Japanese defenses were inland, the shelling had no effect. At 4:00 am the Carriers USS Serpent and Swift began launching air strikes.
The Naval Part:
At about 8:00 am, Japanese cruisers were sent in a do-or die attack at the US carriers. The Carriers and their escorting destroyers lashed out against the enemy ships. The superior aircraft and speed of the carriers were to much for the Japanese. This "Other Battle of Iwo Jima" was a Japanese disaster.
The Battle:
At 8:59 am the Marines from the 3rd, 4th, 5th and V corps hit the beach head. Not only enemy fire halted the marines, volcanic terrain was also unsuitable. To make matters worse, when the marines would "clear" a bunker, Japanese in the tunnels would reoccupy it. When tanks, more air strikes and shellings were conducted, the marines eventually were able to advance past the beaches. Shelling would be ineffective at this point, the marines had to charge their way through. The Japanese were restrained from banzai charges, so fighting was fierce. To counter these problems, plasma grenades were used to destroy bunkers and Scorpion tesla throwing tanks were able to help the marines because of their firepower and durability. Close air support by Escort Carriers were able to destroy some defenses and increase the advance.
Mount Surabachi:
Mount Surabachi was cut off, so the Marines were able to capture it easily despite it being apart of the tunnel works. Two four man patrols were sent up the mountain on reconnaissance, these men put the first flag of Iwo Jima on there. A few days later, a second, more famous flag was rose.
Concluding:
There was still some resistance in the northern end of the island, the marines used 4 tons of explosives to get rid of them.
Aftermath:
USS Lunga Point sunk by a Kamikaze Flown by Kenzo Ueno
21,569 Marines (6,829 were deaths)
18,375 killed Japanese
600 captured Japanese
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_iwo_jima.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/USS_Lunga_Point_CVE-94.jpg